Category: Alaska News

Allegheny County can now order treatment for people with serious mental illness. But what’s driving results – the order itself or the services behind it?

The third gastrointestinal illness in less than two months has hit the National Geographic Sea Bird cruise ship, infecting 18 of 88 people aboard the five-day voyage from Sitka that ended in Juneau on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 152-foot-long ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions also had 12 of 90 people infected during a voyage May 26-31 from Juneau to Sitka, and 20 of 95 people on a June 25-30 trip between Juneau and Ketchikan.

The cause of the most recent outbreak is unknown, with abdominal cramps and vomiting reported as the main symptoms, although norovirus is the listed cause of the first two outbreaks.

During the Sea Bird’s latest trip, it made a stop in Haines on July 13. This is the second time the company has visited the community during a trip in which more than 20% of the people on board became ill. It is next scheduled to be in Haines on July 27.

There have been eight outbreaks on cruise ships making stops in U.S. ports in 2026, with the Sea Bird the only vessel with more than one, according to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program website.

Lindblad Expeditions has not responded to requests from the Chilkat Valley News or the Juneau Independent for comment about the previous outbreaks. A message sent by the Independent to the company’s media relations office Saturday morning did not receive an immediate response.

The most recent outbreak infected 18 of 62 passengers and none of the 26 crew members, according to the CDC. The agency reports Lindblad Expeditions and the ship’s crew performed standard procedures including increased cleaning and disinfection, isolating ill passengers, and consulting with the CDC.

A fourth viral outbreak on a cruise ship stopping in Juneau was reported at the beginning of July, when norovirus infected 125 of 4,176 people aboard the Ruby Princess during a round-trip voyage between San Francisco and Alaska from June 12 to July 2 that included an overnight stop June 17 in Juneau.

This story was originally published by the Juneau Independent. Local reporting was added by Rashah McChesney of the Chilkat Valley News.

The post Third gastrointestinal illness outbreak hits National Geographic Sea Bird appeared first on Chilkat Valley News.

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Great Falls has a busy stretch of community events ahead, from a free festival at The History Museum to the Montana State Fair and an upcoming roller derby bout.

(The Center Square) – Two U.S. service members have been killed in action, and one remains missing following an Iranian missile strike in Jordan, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday afternoon.

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Coast Guard is actively engaged in Arctic defense, monitoring and dealing with potential national security threats posed by Chinese ships. Last summer, the Coast Guard chased away Chinese vessels.

(The Center Square) – Millions of Americans celebrated America 250, Sail250 events in key ports, boarding scores of ships that sailed thousands of nautical miles to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

(The Center Square) – The Department of War is mandating testosterone screening for all troops 30 and older, but the agency declined to say how much the program will cost taxpayers or how its effectiveness will be measured.

(The Center Square) – Immigration and housing policies will be at the top of voters’ minds in Arizona’s 6th and 9th congressional districts, races that could determine control of Congress in November.

(The Center Square) – A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is set to examine a bill next week to require hospitals and insurance companies to display prices for provided services.